Chapter 20: Im willing to get marked! (1/2)

The silence that ensued after Karter's proclamation instantly alerted Layn about the weight of what he just heard. The shocked faces of the guards and the glister of trump in Kerren's eyes only further solidified archmage's guess.

”Karter… Are you really sure?” Stepping half-step forward, the leader of the guard sent an uneasy look to the leader of Irea's group. Yet, rather than backing down or attempting to calm the situation with other means, the middle-aged man continued to walk forward with his right arm raised.

”I am willing to get marked as well.” Appearing from the completely opposite direction, one of the Irea and Karter companions stepped forward with his arm raised in a similar fashion.

”And so am I.” One by one, the rest of the group appeared from all kinds of directions. Some stepped out of the crowd of onlookers, some came running from across several streets.

With each addition to the count, the look of trump on Kerren's face continued to sink, replaced with desperation growing with each next appearance.

After just a moment, the entire group encircled the area of the commotion.

”I am willing to get marked too.” As soon as the members of her group stopped appearing, Irea shook her shoulders before raising her arm as well. Then, the eyes of not only everyone participating in the event but also all the onlookers moved on the archmage.

”I'm not really sure what it means, but heck, I would be damned if I were to keep my arms still.” There was a limited number of possible meanings behind marking. And not a single of Layn's guesses was bad enough to warrant remaining still.

”What's your move, Kerrren?” As soon as Layn's arm moved upwards, the eyes of everyone moved towards the dummy that thought he could be rude towards Layn's guide in the archmage's presence. Still trying to raise at least on his knees, when faced with the attention of everyone in the area, the man froze.

”God damn it, where the hell they are when they are needed…” Cursing under his breath, Kerren looked around for a moment before his shoulders sunk. With a look of defeat surfacing on his face, he gave up on his attempts to stand up before raising both of his hand into the air.

”I give up. There wasn't any topic, to begin with, and I will compensate for the losses.” Lowering his head in a poor attempt to hide his jaws tensing up in hate, Kerren ended up making the decision on his own. To end the situation right here and now, even if it meant losing a bit of face.

”There was no topic? Then you will surely apologise to my group for insulting the honour of both its existing and deceased member, am I right?” Speaking up, Layn didn't expect a wave of gasps to follow. Knowing perfectly well that look around in a surprise would tell the others how little did he know about what was going on, the archmage could only stare menacingly at the humiliated man.

”You little…” Almost erupting in fury, the entire body of the man twitched when the despisal filled his mind.

”Will you?” Cutting Kerren's attempt to stall the situation, the guard sent him a cold stare.